Although Apple is partly to blame for exploiting the system, the government also shares blame for allowing such lame patents. Here's the "copyright clause" of the US Constitution:

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.

You'll notice that first part is the main impetus of the clause, "To promote the progress of science and useful arts..." The idea of patents is to encourage people and companies to invent new stuff to improve mankind. Allowing Apple exclusive rights to a rounded rectangle is more about protecting Apple and ensuring their billions than promoting tech and science in the country's interest. The gov't is falling down a bit on the job here.